Fluid apparatus



M. KAPLAN FLUID APPARATUS May 23, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 17,1948 m 2 m vffl K m F. m 8 6 a 0 I 6 F WM 56 ATTORNEY M. KAPLAN FLUIDAPPARATUS May 23, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 17, 1948 98 98FIG.4.

INV E NTOR Make/4 r Ke /=4 19 "'77 ATTORNEY M. KAPLAN FLUID APPARATUSMay 23, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 HEE- INVENTOIR Mame/9r Kama/w FIG. IO.

Filed Aug. 17, 1948 BY M/M ATTORNEY Patented May 23, 1950 UNITED STATESPATENT other Murray Kaplan, New York, N. Y.

Application August 17, 1948, SerialNo. 44,651

20 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to fluid apparatus adapted forpumping,agitating, aerating and/or mixing fluids; It comprises a body ornozzle containing a passage converging towards a throat, a fluidconductor communicating with the throat, the body'or nozzle beingsupported for vibration or oscillation in a liquid'along a path having acomponent substantially traversing the throat.

The nozzle preferably contains opposed passages converging towards anaxis to the throat,

which passages may be substantially aligned, and the nozzle support ispreferably of a resilient nature. The operating frequency of the drivingmeans for the body or nozzle is substantially equal to the resonantfrequency of the resiliently supported nozzle at a predeterminedcondition of loading. The convergent passage or passages which aresubmerged for oscillation in a liquid during operation, constitute thedischarge opening or openings where the apparatus is used as a pump, thefluid conductor connected with the nozzle throat defining the inletpassage under such conditions. The fluid conductor thus providing aninlet passage preferably communicates with 'a source of fluid outside ofthe container for the liquid in which the nozzle is "submerged, and thefluid conductor and nozzle support may be defined by one and 'the samemember. The path described'by the nozzle in theiiquid in which it issubmerged, will in most cases be arcuate and tangent'to the axial lineor plane of the convergent passage when thesystem is at rest. The inletpassage preferably intersects the throat of the nozzle sharply and wherethe desired performance warrants, this intersection may even approach alinear one. Throat shapes may be circular, annular, elongated,'orotherwise, for various contemplated applications of the invention.Moreover, the passage for the incoming or supply fluid will preferablybe perpendicular to the throat axis at its 'juncture with the throat inmany of the constructions contemplated.

The driving means for the vibratory "system is preferablyelectromagnetic, calling for an armature to be provided as a part of thevibratory system for cooperation with an electromagnet,

and in some cases, the armature may be permanently magnetized. Thedriving electromagnet will preferably be energized by alternatingcurrent of known frequency in order that the natural period of thevibratory system can be designed for resonance at that frequency or a.znultiple thereof. However, direct current'can 2 be employed withsomewhat less satisfactory results, provided that suitable provisionsare made for making and breaking the circuit for the energizing current;a r I The nozzle-support-may-include a torsional spring'whosecharacteristics will be considered in designing the vibratory system toobtain the desired resonant conditions for the frequency available andthe media employed. I I

Having thus outlined some of the objects of this invention'amorecomplete understanding of its practical embodiments will follow from adetailed description of the accompanyingdrawings wherein: .v r

Fig. l is an elevation, partiallyin section, depicting one form of-theapparatus;

Fig. 2 is an-elevation', partially in section,an d partially broken:away, taken along line 22 of i Fig. 3 is a planview of the operatingportion of the apparatus; shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an elevation, partially in section,; .of

a modified form of the apparatus;

'Figx'5 is a'bottom plan view, partially in section and partially brokenaway, of the apparatus shown in Fig.v 4; v

Fig; 9 is'an e1e'vation,partially in section and partiallyschematicitaken' along line 9+9 of Fig. 10 depicting a furthermodification;

FigIIO is a'ii'eleva'tion, partially in section,

taken along linelll-HI of'Fig.'9; and

Fig. "11 is a fragmentary perspective showing a portion of the nozzledepicted inFigs. Q'and 10. The receptacle 20 is adapted to contain'abody 0f liquid '22 and iS provided 'with a delivery nipple 24 threadedinto icover' plate 26', which is'in turn secured by" screws "28 to aflange 30 formed on the contamer; 'A'iluidtight join't'is achievedthrough the use are sealing gasket fl interposed between thecov'er plateand flange. The cover 'pl'ate isal'soperforated-to receive a sleeve '34which may be soldered or ot erwise attached thereto in fluidtightrelationship? tubular arm 36 penetrates the sleeve 'and m'ay bemaintained in fluidtight -felationship with-respect thereto by means ofr flexible ashing}: of rubber-like 'mater ialj closely embracing "thearm and the depending end of the sleeve 34. The lower end of the arm isprovided with threads v lll for introduction into a complementary socketformed radially in a body or nozzle member 42 which may be characterizedas a double or symmetrical Venturi member. The body or nozzle member 42comprises coaxial passages 44 converging from their ends 46 to a throat4B which communicates with the passage 50 provided by the tubular arm36. As clearly shown in Fig. 2, the central portion of the throat may beradially enlarged to form an annular groove 52, but in some instances,this groove may be omitted. For many applications of this device, it isdesirable that the intersection of the opposed convergent passages 44with the throat 48 be sharp or substantially linear, which, in the caseof the example depicted in these figures, would approach circular edges54.

The upper portion of the tubular arm 36 is received through a block orsleeve 56 to which it maybe secured by welding, brazing, soldering orthe like, which sleeve is in turn secured by a suitable number of screws58 to an armature 60, with a resilient mounting member 62 interposedbetween them. The ends ofthe resilient mounting member 62 are secured bymeans of plates 64 and screws 66 to a pair of outturningflanges 68provided by abracket 10. The bracket is formed from two parts, the uppervertical walls 12 of which are clamped to an interposed electromagnet 14by means of a pair of screws 16 in cooperation with spacing sleeves ll.The lower ends of the bracket members are also outturned to form flanges18 which are seated on the cover plate 26 and secured thereto by meansof screws 80. The winding 8| of the electromagnet 14 is connected to asuitable source of current through a pair of leads 82.

The suction side of the apparatus thus far described is defined at theupper end 84 of the tubular arm 36, which may be in communication withatmosphere or with-such other fluids, ineluding liquids, as may bedesired for a given use- The vibratory system here involved comprisesthe body or nozzle member 42, the tubular arm 36, the resilient mountingmember 62 and the armature 60. The resonant frequency of this system iscalculated and chosen to correspond with the frequency of the supplycurrent, or in some cases, a multiple thereof. For example, where thearmature 66 is merely of magnetic material but not permanentlymagnetized,an'd the source of current is alternating with a frequency of160 cycles per second,:the resonant frequency of the vibratory systemwill be chosen as 120 cycles per second for a particular pumping load.Should a permanently magnetized armature be used, then the naturalfrequency of the vibratory system will be designed to be 60 cycles persecond at a particular pumping load. By properly selecting the size,shape and-material of the components of the vibratory system, theresonant frequency can be conformed to suit any conditions that maybeencountered in practice. The system can be designed from thesestandpoints so that changes in load will result in either an increase ora decrease in amplitude of the vibratory system, thus permittingappreciable variation in the pressurezvolume ratio through properdesign.

4 break contacts in the circuit for operation in a manner understood tothose skilled in the art.

With the apparatus assembled as shown in Fig. 1, and the conductorsconnected to a source of 60 cycle, alternating current, the vibratorysystem will achieve resonance almost at once, imparting an oscillatingmovement to the body or nozzle 42 through an arcuate path substantiallytangent to the nozzle axis. The longer the tubular arm 36 might be, themore nearly the path approaches the nozzle axis itself, but in any case,a substantial component of the motion will lie along the axis of thenozzle.

The upper end of the tubular arm 36 is shown in Fig. l as communicatingwith atmosphere, hence the effect of the increased velocity of theliquid 22 as it passes in both directions through the throat 40 of thenozzle, will be to induce the passage of air down through the passage50, through the throat 48 and passage 44, into the liquid 22, to bedelivered at a desired point through the delivery nipple 24. It will benoted that the liquid 22 will become aerated during this operation, aneifect suggesting many important uses contemplated for the presentinvention, including the aeration of water and other liquids. Similarly,when the inlet end 84 of the tubular arm is connected with a fluidsource other than atmosphere, such fluid will be drawn down through thetubular-arm into the receptacle 20 in a similar fashion. Where suchaeration or gasification is intended for an open body of liquid, it willbe clear that the container will need no cover plate, in which case 'thevibratory apparatus can be clamped in any suitable manner to assume aposition submerging the nozzle in the pumping liquid 22.

Where it is desired to pump liquid with this apparatus, then of course,the inlet end 84-of the tubular arm will be connected by suitablefittings and tubing with the liquid supply. Such liquid will flow downthrough the tubular arm and nozzle due to the effect of the reducedpressure at the throat of the Venturi member, serving to raise the levelof the pumping liquid 22 until it fills the receptacle, whereupon, theliquid willbe discharged through the nipple 24 from whichit will beconveyed under the resulting pressure through suitableflexibleconductors toany desired location. Outstanding uses whichsuggest themselves in this connection are the circulation of coolants,pumping of fuels and many other laboratory, shop and industrialapplications.

The modification depicted in Figsx l and-5 employs principles similar tothose described with reference to the preceding figures, but involvessomewhat different-arrangements of parts. In this case, the housingaficomprises u pperand lower sections 88 and respectively, secured togetherby their corresponding flanges 92. between which a gasket as is receivedand fastened by suitable bolts or rivets 9%. The electromagnet 14, inthis case adapted tobesubmerged in the pumping liquid, is suitablysecured by brackets 68 to the base I66 of the housing, through which itssupply leads 82 are extended in fluid tight relationship by the use of asuitable packing 62 and a-gland'nut lll l'threaded into a socket formedin the base of the housing. The upper section of the housing-provides anintegral discharge fitting I66 and also contains an aperture I98 toreceive a torsion'tube I lit-whose upper threaded end I I2 projectsexternally of the-housing. The tubularmember H6 .isrieidlysecured theliquid 22.

.shown as similar to those described in connection with the precedingexample. Suitably secured to the lower surface of the T fitting H8, isan armature I22 disposed in the field of the electromagnet 14. As willbe clear from the showing of Fig. 5, the normal position of the,electromagnet with respect to its armature is oilset so that there willbe a tendency for the vibratory system to move through an are about theaxis of the torsion tube I I6 when current is supplied to theelectromagnet. A liquid level has been indicated by the broken line I24so that when the nozzles receive their arcuate movement, they will servejointly to draw fluid through the inlet passage 56 and discharge throughthe fitting I66.

The modification depicted in Fig. 6 is shown as operating in an opentank or receptacle .23 containing a body of liquid 22 intended to beaerated. Such an arrangement is useful in connection with fish tanks,foam generation, and aeration or gasification for other purposes. Inthis instance,

.the tubular arm 35 is mounted for substantially sage in the tubular arm38 with the body or nozzle member 62. The lower end of the tubular arm36 is threaded into the hub I32 of the double or symmetrical Venturibody or nozzle 42, which is in this case provided with an annular throatI34 intersecting the convergent passages. 44 at relatively sharp edgesI36 and I353. The hub I32 is centrally located with respect to the outerwall of the nozzle by one or more radial arms or pins I40, similar tothose depicted in Fig. 7 in connection with another modification. Whenthe oscillatory system is tuned to resonance in the apparatus shown inFig. 6, and current of the predetermined frequency is supplied to theelectromagnet winding, the system will oscillate through an arc whoseradius is determined by the length of the leaf spring I25, the passageof liquid through the throat I34 of the nozzle 42 reducing pressure atthis area to cause fluid to be drawn into the inlet fitting i353, downthrough the tubular arm 36, into the branched passage I42 of the hub,through the throat I34, and into The support I28 may well be defined bythe wall of the tank or receptacle 20, or by any suitable relativelyfixed member.

The nozzle or body 42 shown in Figs. 7 and 8 comprises a hub I32centrally positioned in the nozzle by means of the radial pins I43 todefine a substantially annular throat I34 having a centrally locatedenlarged annular groove I44 in communication with the passage 56provided by the'supporting arm 36. The intersections between the throatI34 on the one hand,- and the convergent passage walls 44 and theconical walls I46 of the hub on the other, are preferably sharpparticularly where it is desired that the supply fluid be highlydispersed in the pumping liquid 22.

The modification shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 contemplates anelectromagnet I4 mountedby means of a bracket III to a suitable supportI28, the bracket also being secured to a pair of resilient supportingsprings 62 for the vibratory system. The vibratory system, in additionto such springs 62, includes an armature 66, vertical supporting armsI48 secured to the armature and supporting springs, and mounted at the.lower ends of these arms, body or nozzle formin ele-.- ments I50, whichmaybe described as hollow, truncated substantially triangular membershaving open apices I52 in opposed adjacency to define convergent wallsI54 intersecting an elongated throat I55 at substantially linear edgesI58. The tubular passages I59 of these. nozzle forming members areconnected by means. of a manifold I56 with an inlet tube I62 throughwhich fluid will be drawn from atmosphere or any other source desired.

Upon energization of the electromagnet I4 with current of thepredetermined frequency for which the resonance has been computed, thevibratory system will oscillate at resonance through an are such as thatdiagrammatically depicted by broken lines in Fig. 9 to produce a reducedpressure at the throat I56, resulting in a suction effect in the tube I62, similar to the efiect described with ref.- erence to the precedingexamples.

From these few examples which serve to illustrate only a few embodimentsof the invention, it will be clear that no lubrication is required inthe absence of mechanical friction between parts; the apparatus willhave an extended life; there will be no contamination or the fluids bylubricants; no valves will be required in the simpler forms of theapparatus; starting is almost instantaneous; flow of fluid issubstantially continuous; the emciency is high; solid particles in thefluid will cause no damage; no priming or other starting problems areencountered; operating characteristics are readily controlled; andmanufacture is relatively inexpensive. Thus, pumps employing the presentinvention can advantageously replace many pumps of other types alreadyin use. Pumps of this type are eminently suited to medical, dental,pharmaceutical and biological applications, and for these purposes, itwill be noted that in pumping air and other fluids, their sterilizationcan be effected by proper selection of the pumping liquid. Moreover, dueto their inherent nature, the parts contacting the fluids can themselvesbe sterilized readily. For various chemical and industrial uses, it maybe desired that the pumping liquid be an absorbent material which willserve to remove particular components of a circulating fluid. Alongthese lines, it will be clear that one liquid can be intimately admixedwith another, since the pump inherently promotes agitation along withits pumpin action. The pump is readily controlled remotely, and in anycase, where alternating current is used as the source, it is for allpractical purposes explosion proof. 1'

Many additional modifications, variations and uses of the apparatus havebeen recognized by the present inventor and it is realized that many ofthese will likewise suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, oncethey become familiar with 9 with respect to said frame :andcommunicating with said throat, and alternating current electromagneticdriving means cooperating with said armature for vibrating said nozzlealonog a path substantially tangent to said axis.

16. Fluid apparatus comprising a frame, a nozzle adapted to be immersedin a fluid, said nozzle containing opposed passages converging towardsan axis to a throat, a fluid inlet conductor communicating with saidthroat, a spring resiliently supporting said nozzle with respect to saidframe for oscillatory movement, and periodic driving means forsubstantially resonantly oscillating said nozzle along a path common tosaid throat.

17. Fluid pumping apparatus comprising a frame, a nozzle adapted to beimmersed in a liquid, said nozzle containing a throat intermediate apair of convergent passages, a resilient support connecting said nozzlewith said frame, said resilient support and nozzle constituting aresonant system, a fluid inlet conductor communicating with said throat,and periodic driving means for oscillating said system substantially atresonance with said nozzle immersed in a liquid.

18. Fluid apparatus comprising a frame, a nozzle adapted to be immersedin a fluid, said nozzle containing an elongated passage converging to athroat, a fluid conductor resiliently supporting said nozzle withrespect to said frame and communicating with said throat, and drivingmeans operable through said conductor for vibrating said nozzle along apath traversing said throat.

19. Fluid apparatus comprising a frame, a noz- 10 zle adapted to beimmersed in a fluid, said nozzle containing a pair of passagesconverging to a throat, a torsional spring supporting said nozzle withrespect to said frame for oscillatory movement, a fluid inlet conductorcommunicating with said throat, and driving means for oscillating saidnozzle along a path substantially traversing said throat.

20. Fluid pumping apparatus comprising a frame, a nozzle adapted to beimmersed in a fluid, said nozzle containing a passage converging fromopposed surfaces to a throat, a fluid inlet conductor resilientlysupporting said nozzle with respect to said frame and communicating withsaid throat, and conductor driving means for oscillating said nozzlealong a path substantially traversing said throat.

MURRAY KAPLAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 892,098 Thornton et a1 June 30,1908 923,775 Mathis July 20, 1909 2,240,307 List Apr. 29, 1941 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 740,179 France Jan. 23, 1933

